mgo.licio.us

"The face of the operation is Briatore (referred to exclusively in the film by his colleagues and angry, chanting detractors as "Flavio"), an anthropomorphic radish who spends most of his time at QPR plotting to fire all of the managers."

At press time, Harbaugh had sent Michigan’s athletic department an envelope containing a heavily annotated seating chart, a list of the 63,000 seat views he had found unsatisfactory, and a glowing 70-page report on section 25, row 12, seat 9, which he claimed is “exactly what the great sport of football is all about.”

Being Dave Brandon

From this point on I don't care about the following opinions on what Rich Rodriguez deserves after three years:

Mine

Yours, unless you are Dave Brandon (call me)

I also don't have anything that's definitive. We know that there is no McMahon-style "you're firrrrrrrred" press conference today, and given the way things work that means Rodriguez will be the coach through the bowl game. We know that the rumors were heavy enough for Dave Brandon to personally debunk them on the twitters. We can read the withering sarcasm between the lines of this from Brandon…

…and if it's not withering sarcasm* I don't want to know.

I've got some stuff in the inbox and from elsewhere. A bit of it says Rodriguez is getting fired, period, citing "impeccable sources." Another from before the OSU game reports second hand that Harbaugh "has an offer" while expressing skepticism at the nature of the information given its timing—what if Michigan had won Saturday? Some other stuff has filtered to me via talkative former players all saying "canned," as well.

The part I trust—the one that called Brandon as the likely new AD and tipped me off about the Alabama game—is far from certain except about one thing: anyone who says anything with certainty is full of it. Brandon keeps his own counsel and makes his own decisions. Since Brandon has a direct line to the obvious head coaching candidate there will be no search committee or consultants tapped or planning, cutting off virtually all of the usual leak sources. It's unlikely anyone has anything until hours before it breaks, at which point it will be everywhere.

I'm not inclined to put much in the widespread chatter that had RR out the door after the OSU game and seems to be continuing since its sourcing seems to be pissed-off-you-guys folk clearly unhappy with the state of the program taking small interactions and interpreting them as they desire. However, the vibe I'm getting from other people who seem to be on the fence about what to do—or at least close to it—also makes it seem unlikely Rodriguez is back. Emphasis on all the qualifying words in the previous sentence, please. I've got nothing solid because no one does.

In the event that happens, Harbaugh is the obvious #1 guy, with the main sticking point being Harbaugh's willingness to accept the imposition of a silly, off-putting buyout in case any NFL teams get ideas. It sounds like if the decision is made to pursue Harbaugh, something will be worked out and he will be introduced essentially immediately. They won't get rid of Rodriguez unless they know they have the next coach lined up.

So… that's what I've got. I'm uncertain about everything. I guess that's good from a program standpoint, but it's frustrating when the next month will see Michigan's future hang in the balance with nothing trustworthy to put a foot on.

*(Not specifically about Desmond, who tweeted a couple things about how he had faith in Brandon to make the decision. More the "Appreciate the passion & interest," random talk-radio raver.)

If Gary Moeller didn't get into that bar fight, Lloyd would have never been coach, so the cupboard wouldn't have been bare. But, then again Rich would have never been coach, and we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I think Brandon is in a tough spot. I'm guessing he really wanted Rodriguez to show him why he should be the Michigan football coach for years and years to come. I'm guessing he wanted to end the season thinking about a contract extension. Instead he's left with a lot of questions and unhappy financial backers. I think the last thing he wants to say is the only thing he can say right now (if Rodriguez is retained) and that is, he's going to give him another year.

My thought is that the decision came after the IA homecoming loss. I think RR and his replacement have known about decision for weeks.

If DB wanted RR he would have stated so after the OSU vs UM game so as not too harm recruiting. I would like to give RR a few extra years, since I would expect it would take that long for the defense to become serviceable. But the deep pocket pressure may have won out with dumping RR! I'm sure RR will land with another top program, may be even his old team at WVU and will do a great job.

The delay is due to other team bowl games, may be on both ends? May be I'm completely wrong but the signs all point to RR not being the HC after early January.

causing RR a slow death in the eyes of David Brandon has to be PSU. They have been one of the better B10 teams over the past few seasons. They were ripe for the picking and we didn't take advantage, even after the bye week. An 8-4 season with a win against PSU on the road looks better than 7-5 with no wins against the B10's top five. Even though I have been a staunch supporter of RR, I am on the fence right now as far as giving RR another year. That said, I hope Michigan draws a top 25 ranked opponent in the bowl. Getting a quality bowl win may be RR's only shot at another year.

Fire Hoke you aks? Well that's the question for the fuckin' ages, ain't it?

I guess we will know for sure after the bowl game but it sucks for recruiting with all these rumors. If RR was going to stay DB would have said so today! I don't think the bowl game will make a difference. May be if DB number one HC candidate says no, then RR may stay?

PSU was a team in turmoil when Michigan headed to Happy Valley, a walk-on sophmore QB and an underachieving Evan Royster had Dick Rod setup for the signature win that he so desperately needed in his third year. Instead he got his ass handed to him by the fossil Joe Pa. This was the straw that set the current chain of events in motion.

PSU game was what finally moved me from supporter to apathetic regarding RR. My son and I attended and saw a team that surely looked unprepared after a bye week. My 13 year old son noticed how pathetic the defensive calls were, cover-2 cloud on 3rd and 3 for example.

I think a lot of us are on the fence. I fully supported the RR hiring, as I wanted something new and exciting in Ann Arbor. I got what I hoped for on offense (for the most part), but everything else has been an unmitigated disaster. RR's record speaks for itself, and I'm starting to wonder if the Big 10 job was too big for RR.

My tipping point is RR's contention that he understands big rivalries like OSU vs. UM because he lived through WVU vs. Pitt. C'mon, really?

As a passionate fan and alum, I don't like instability and would have preferred RR to be the man and have established himself as such. However, college football is a results oreinted business, and he just isn't getting it done, whatever the underlying reasons. I'm personally tired of the upper half of the Big 10 having their way with my beloved Maize and Blue. After a 6-18 conference record, I find that unacceptable. And I also refuse to keep pummelling Lloyd Carr for his deficiencies at the end of his tenure. Lloyd did a great job, and stayed too long, but some of that is on Bill "Sailboat" Martin.

I also buy into the idea that Dave Brandon will do what is absolutely best for the university, the alumni, the fans and the program. If he decides to keep RR, I'm on board. Make a switch? I'm on board.

Go Blue.

"I am delighted to have you play football. I believe in rough, manly sports."
- Theodore Roosevelt

Yes, the cubpoard was less full at the end of LC's tenure than usual, but it was by no means empty. Much of the empty cupboard resulted from players transfering out after RR came.

Transfers accompany any coaching change, but the amount that we had were excessive. Had RR maintained some of that talent (Boren is a first team all B10 player, Mallett is a highly rater NFL prospect, even Toney Clemens would have been helpful during 2008), then the transition would have been smoother.

I trust Dave Brandon and will back his decision either way. The heart says if RR upgrades talent, gets his scheme working and somehow teaches fundamentals again, that will be measurable improvement because it should equate to quality wins. No reason for having the special teams and defensive performance this team put out every week. If we see the same thing next season, then all bets are off.

I wish more people were not so polorized about this topic. I think most of the fans want to see Michigan succeed. However, I think less and less of us are willing to be as supportive as you. I couldn't agree more with the statement about being on board either way and trusting Brandon to do whatever he sees best.

Brandon was hired to make the tough decisions. I am sure that the decision on the coach has already been played. The only reason it hasn't been announced because it won't be done until the new coach's schedule is clear. Harbaugh must want to coach the bowl game, or it would already be done.

No matter what Dave Brandon is a good AD...I mean he brought back slippery rock, added lights to the big house and we have a NIGHT GAME! I think he knows what he is doing so no matter what decision is made on rich rod. I put my faith in Dave Brandon because he is a Michigan man and what ever he decides I believe will be the best decision for the program.

DB just rying to get a deal done with JH, hell maybe it's already done. The consolation prize is if it can't get done then RR comes back for another year which he probably deserves anyway. DB has put himself in a win-win situation.

The only drawback is this: If RR returns, then my God, what person in his right mind takes over this defense? Whoever that shall be would have to snuggle next to RR on the hot-seat. And getting a top-notch guy to do that would truly be unbelievable.

he's not making any deal at all and has already made his decision to keep Rod around at least next year and maybe until the end of his contract. Or perhaps he's delighted with the progress the team is making thus far and has decided to give Rod an extension and a raise, and is just waiting for the emotional fervor of the season to die down.

Point is, nobody knows except Dave Brandon. Speculating that his silence to this point means anything is silly. We'll find out soon enough.

I agree, if RR was going to stay then DB could come out and say so and help recruiting and the like. I think he is testing out the market to see if he has a replacement lined up before he would let RR go (I guess that is fairly obvious). If he can't get a name dropper then RR stays regardless of what happens in the bowl game. I think DB is playing this pretty well.

Brandon is going to earn his paycheck this month. I gotta believe he has already made his decision. I hope that coah Rod gets another year, new DC and a traditional 4/3 scheme and I would think any UofM fan is happy with that.

Great Harbaugh and three yards and a cloud of dust without the top notch talent we used to have sounds AWESOME! I mean I knew that spread stuff only worked in the Big East,SEC, Big12 and Pac 10. I am AMAZED by the amount of people who think this is a good idea. The worst part is Harbaugh comes into a great situation with a team that is about to blow up anyway and then people think he''s brilliant. Coach Rod if you do leave you have to promise to not coach in the big 10 because I cannot take you kicking our ass every year.